Nutrigenetics: What is it?

Nutrigenetics is a field of genetics and food science that studies the influence of DNA sequence variants or mutations on nutrition. The pioneer in this field was physician Archibald Garrod, who at the beginning of the 20th century identified that a series of metabolic errors could be hereditary. Specifically, the disease he detected is known as alkaptonuria. This study, entitled ” Inborn Errors of Metabolism ,” laid the foundation for the work of nutritional genomics and nutrigenetics today. But before going into detail, we need to put things in context.

Nutrition, diet and health .

There is currently great concern among high-income countries because more people die from poor nutrition than from other diseases. Malnutrition is now responsible for one in five deaths worldwide, surpassing deaths directly related to tobacco or other risk factors.

Nutrition is one of the most complex fields due to the large number of factors that influence a healthy diet. It’s not just what we eat that influences our body, but also how we eat, where we eat, what we do while eating, how we expend that energy, how digestion occurs, our gut flora, and an even more complex factor that comes into this equation: our genetic predispositions to nutritional status .

Nutrigenetics and health .

Today, it is known that some genetic variants can be found in genes that form proteins related to processes such as energy expenditure balance control, nutrient uptake, calcium or iron metabolism, lactose or gluten processing, cholesterol synthesis, transport and control, etc.

In this way, these genetic variants modify each individual’s dietary circumstances. For example, a variant in the gene that codes for the enzyme lactase may be responsible for a person suffering from lactose intolerance.

However, not all categories are as simple as the example described above, where the analysis of a single genetic variant alone is sufficient to establish a diagnosis. Many of the conditions analyzed in a nutrigenetic study, such as obesity or type 2 diabetes, are highly multifactorial, and their genetic component only determines a percentage of the predisposition to developing that disease or condition. The remainder depends on the environment (sociocultural relationship with food, stress, sedentary lifestyle, etc.). For this reason, it is even more important to understand a person’s genetic predisposition and establish those general habits that are perhaps best known to everyone, but also personalized ones that affect a specific genetic condition in order to minimize risks and enhance health.

Nutrigenetics accessible to everyone .

Due to the emergence of new sequencing technologies and the development of numerous nutrigenetic studies that identify genetic variants associated with nutritional problems, several laboratories have begun to market nutrigenetic tests. At ADN Institut , we have developed a versatile test, called AboutMe Nutrigenetic, which covers various nutritional aspects without neglecting the scientific rigor that characterizes us. Thus, the individual who takes the test will be informed about which vitamins should be reinforced in their diet or their predisposition to developing type 2 diabetes, among many other aspects. We have also optimized a system for home delivery of saliva sample kits throughout Spain at no cost, so that people do not have to travel to a health center.

What does a nutrigenetic test offer me?

A nutrigenetic test provides valuable information for our daily lives, allowing us to understand how our body adapts to different foods and how we should adapt our diet to our genetics.

The nutrigenetic test isn’t, in itself, a magic recipe for achieving the desired weight gain or loss results, but rather a support in designing a diet that’s appropriate for all levels. This test can even be your first step toward the change you’ve been promising yourself every year. Scientific studies have determined that diets followed in conjunction with nutrigenetic counseling are better than single-model diets.

Another basis for this test is its preventative nature. It contains a wealth of information regarding the predisposition to developing diet-related diseases, which can be decisive for the future of anyone who takes it.

But it’s not all about nutrition. Our study also includes a sports-related section in which we report on the genetic variants you share with professional athletes and which have been reported in scientific studies on endurance and power. There’s also a section that examines your risk of injury.

The ADN Institut AboutMe nutrigenetic test consists of 35 different sections divided into six different categories:

What is the future of nutrigenetics and why do we believe in its potential to change lives?

Nutrigenetics is a science that advances slowly due to the many factors that influence it. However, the creation of new genotyping technologies, as well as the joint implementation of techniques such as metabolomics (study of the presence of metabolic products in biological fluids such as blood, urine, etc.), metagenomics (study of the presence of microorganisms in the mouth, skin, intestine, etc.) or transcriptomics (study of gene expression) will allow for the design of more precise, broader and even time-based studies such as monthly studies of changes in the microbiota.

At ADN Institut, we believe in the potential of nutrigenetics as a tool for changing our daily routines and lifestyles. We work to foster a paradigm shift in this field, in which nutrigenetics will play a pivotal role in population screening. The detection of variants that link our immune system to our diet and changes in our gut microbiota can be a valuable tool in the early detection of diseases such as colon cancer, among other serious digestive system disorders. And quoting the great Greek physician Hippocrates: “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food,” a good diet with informed choices can make the difference in directly and significantly improving your health and well-being.

Do you have any questions?